Relações entre estratégias de enfrentamento e aleitamento materno de prematuros

Abstract

Breastfeeding is essential for the child’s survival, especially in preterm birth, when mothers experience more difficulties in the initial period. Three studies were carried out to analyze the relations between coping strategies (CS) or coping of the condition of having a premature baby admitted to the Neonatal Unit (NU) and the process of breastfeeding in public hospital in Petrolina, PE. The participants included 20 mothers, when entering the Kangaroo Accommodation, who responded to the Ways of Coping Checklist (Brasilian version - EMEP) and an interview. Data of the infants’ medical records o and the Human Milk Bank were collected. The interviews were submitted to content analysis and the remaining data to statistical analysis to test associations among the variables related to breastfeeding. Study 1 indicated that the predominant CS focused on the pursuance for religious practices and focusing on the problem. Study 2 revealed that the institutional support (Kangaroo Mother Method) and family support favored breastfeeding. In Study Three, CS focused on religious practices, for mothers with breastfeeding problems and babies with lower gestational age and birth weight on discharge from NU, were related to more time for relactation and the initiation of breastfeeding. It is considered that the main maternal strategies (religious practice and focus on the problem) adopted were more adaptive to cope with the condition of prematurity, and the variable social support (family and professionals) an important mediating role. The results are discussed according to the intervention planning in the area of maternal and child health, aiming to strengthen the link between mother and preterm infant, and the establishment of successful breastfeeding.